Phytotoxic micronutrient combinations for selective control of invasive plant species

Abstract

This disclosure provides compositions or combinations of (A) phytotoxic micronutrients and (C) agricultural compositions and their use for selectively and effectively controlling invasive plants.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 883,729, filed on Aug. 7, 2019, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]This disclosure relates to compositions, combinations, kits comprising a phytotoxic micronutrient and an agricultural composition, and their use for the control and eradication of invasive plant species (i.e., weeds) (e.g., dandelion, spotted knapweed, cheatgrass and others).BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0003]Invasive weeds are a serious worldwide problem and about 5% of the world economy 01.4 trillion) is spent annually on control. The approach to weed control currently used is ineffective, expensive and causes excessive harm to the environment. The current global practice for weed control involves spraying chemical weed control formulations, including synthetic herbicides derived from petrochemicals, on the live, above g...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a method of controlling the growth of invasive plants using a combination of a phytotoxic micronutrient and an agricultural composition. The use of both components in combination creates a synergistic effect, resulting in better control over the growth of the plants compared to using either component alone. This method can also involve the use of a synthetic herbicide in combination with the phytotoxic micronutrient and agricultural composition, providing further enhancement of the synergistic effect.

Problems solved by technology

Invasive weeds are a serious worldwide problem and about 5% of the world economy 01.4 trillion) is spent annually on control.

The approach to weed control currently used is ineffective, expensive and causes excessive harm to the environment.

Invasive species are adapted to nutrient-poor soils and out-compete desirable native vegetation once established.

In many cases, land disturbances are severe and native soils have become depleted of nutrients (i.e. disturbed) resulting in a net ecological shift away from soils in geochemical equilibrium with the occupying plant community toward invasive species dominated soils with low fertility.

Declining soil health, declining plant production and invasion by weeds are the result.

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